Joshua 7:23

KJV

And they took them out of the midst of the tent, and brought them unto Joshua, and unto all the children of Israel, and laid them out before the LORD.

KJV (with Strong's)

And they took {H3947} them out of the midst {H8432} of the tent {H168}, and brought {H935} them unto Joshua {H3091}, and unto all the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478}, and laid them out {H3332} before {H6440} the LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

They took the things from inside the tent, brought them to Y'hoshua and all the people of Isra'el, and put them down before ADONAI.

Berean Standard Bible

They took the things from inside the tent, brought them to Joshua and all the Israelites, and spread them out before the LORD.

American Standard Version

And they took them from the midst of the tent, and brought them unto Joshua, and unto all the children of Israel; and they laid them down before Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 7:23 marks a pivotal moment in Israel's post-Jericho narrative, detailing the public retrieval and display of the forbidden items Achan had secretly taken from the devoted spoils. This act, performed by Achan's family under Joshua's direction, was a crucial step in exposing the sin that had brought God's judgment upon the nation, leading to their defeat at Ai, and was a necessary precursor to national purification and the restoration of divine favor.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Joshua 7:23 is situated in the immediate aftermath of Israel's humiliating defeat at Ai, a stark contrast to their miraculous victory at Jericho. Following this unexpected setback, Joshua's desperate plea to God reveals that the "accursed thing" (Hebrew: *ḥerem*) was present within the camp, causing God's withdrawal of support. Through a divinely guided process of elimination, Achan is identified as the transgressor. Verses [Joshua 7:20-21](/joshua/7-20 "Joshua 7:20-21 - Achan's Confession") record Achan's confession, revealing the specific items he coveted and hid in his tent. Verse 22 describes messengers being sent to Achan's tent to retrieve the items. Thus, verse 23 describes the culmination of this retrieval, bringing the hidden sin into the light of public accountability, setting the stage for the corporate judgment and purification described in [Joshua 7:24-26](/joshua/7-24 "Joshua 7:24-26 - Achan's Punishment and the Valley of Achor").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The concept of *ḥerem* (devoted things) is central to understanding this passage. Items from conquered cities, especially those under a divine ban, were to be utterly destroyed or dedicated exclusively to God's treasury, not taken for personal gain. This was a unique aspect of holy war in ancient Israel, emphasizing God's absolute sovereignty and Israel's role as His instrument of judgment. Disobedience to the *ḥerem* command was not merely theft; it was a sacrilege, a direct affront to God's holiness and covenant. The public nature of Achan's confession and the display of the items underscore the principle of corporate responsibility prevalent in ancient Israelite society, where the sin of an individual could bring judgment upon the entire community, as seen in [Joshua 7:1](/joshua/7-1 "Joshua 7:1 - Achan's Transgression and Israel's Defeat"). The act of "laying them out before the LORD" was a solemn, judicial presentation, acknowledging God as the ultimate judge and the one whose holiness had been violated.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully illustrates several key themes. Firstly, the **Consequences of Sin** are magnified, showing how an individual's secret disobedience (Achan's covetousness and theft, as confessed in [Joshua 7:21](/joshua/7-21 "Joshua 7:21 - Achan's Confession")) can have devastating corporate repercussions, leading to national defeat and loss of life ([Joshua 7:5](/joshua/7-5 "Joshua 7:5 - Israel's Defeat at Ai")). Secondly, it highlights **Divine Justice and Holiness**. God's demand for purity within His covenant community necessitates the exposure and removal of sin. The public display of the stolen goods "before the LORD" underscores God's omnipresence and His role as the righteous judge before whom all hidden things are revealed. This act was essential for cleansing the community and restoring God's presence and favor. Thirdly, the theme of **Transparency and Acknowledgment** is crucial. The removal of the items from the secrecy of Achan's tent and their public presentation was a vital step in confronting the sin, acknowledging the transgression, and initiating the process of national repentance and reconciliation with God, allowing Israel to move forward in their conquest of [Canaan](/joshua/8 "Joshua 8 - Conquest of Ai").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Tent (Hebrew, _’ohel_):** The "tent" here refers to Achan's personal dwelling within the Israelite camp. Its significance lies in its capacity for secrecy and concealment. Achan's sin was committed in secret, and the stolen items were hidden within the private space of his tent. Their removal from "the midst of the tent" symbolizes the bringing of hidden sin into the light, exposing what was concealed and demonstrating that no sin, however private, remains hidden from God.
* **Laid them out (Hebrew, וַיַּשְׁלִכֻם, _wayyašlîḵum_ from the root שָׁלַךְ, _shalakh_):** This verb means "to throw, cast, lay out, spread out." The KJV's "laid them out" captures the essence well. It suggests a deliberate, decisive, and public act of spreading the items before the assembly. This was not a casual placement but a formal presentation, emphasizing the gravity of the evidence and the solemnity of the moment. It signifies the full and undeniable exposure of the transgression.
* **Before the LORD (Hebrew, לִפְנֵי יְהוָה, _liphnê YHWH_):** This is a highly significant theological phrase, literally meaning "before the face of Yahweh" or "in the presence of the LORD." It indicates that the action was not merely a human procedural step but a solemn presentation of the evidence of sin directly to God. It underscores God's omnipresence, His role as the ultimate Judge, and the fact that the entire event was conducted under His divine scrutiny and authority. It signifies the community's acknowledgment that the sin was ultimately against God and required His direct intervention for resolution.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they took them out of the midst of the tent":** This clause describes the physical act of retrieving the stolen items—the Babylonish garment, silver, and gold—from their hidden place within Achan's tent. "They" refers to the messengers sent by Joshua, as described in the preceding verse ([Joshua 7:22](/joshua/7-22 "Joshua 7:22 - Messengers Sent to Achan's Tent")), likely accompanied by Achan and his family. The removal from the "midst of the tent" emphasizes the transition from secrecy to exposure, from private concealment to public revelation.
* **"and brought them unto Joshua, and unto all the children of Israel":** This signifies the public presentation of the evidence. The items were brought first to Joshua, the leader and God's appointed representative, and then displayed before the entire assembly of Israel. This public display was crucial for validating Achan's confession, demonstrating the tangible proof of his transgression, and ensuring that the entire community bore witness to the sin that had affected them all. It was a corporate acknowledgment of the breach of covenant.
* **"and laid them out before the LORD":** This final phrase elevates the entire act from a mere human judicial process to a sacred, theological event. The items were not just laid before Joshua or the people, but ultimately "before the LORD." This implies that God was the supreme witness and judge of the proceedings. It was an act of acknowledging God's holiness, His omniscience, and His rightful demand for justice and purity within His covenant people. This act facilitated the restoration of Israel's relationship with God, allowing His favor to return.

#### Literary Devices
Joshua 7:23 employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. The most prominent is **Symbolism**: the stolen items themselves—the garment, silver, and gold—symbolize the "accursed thing" and the defilement that had entered the camp. Their removal from the tent and public display symbolizes the purging of sin and the restoration of purity. There is also a strong element of **Contrast** at play: the secrecy of Achan's sin and the hidden location of the items in his tent are sharply contrasted with their public exposure "before the LORD" and "all the children of Israel." This contrast highlights the futility of hiding sin from an omniscient God and the necessity of transparency for corporate healing. The narrative also builds **Suspense** leading up to this moment, as the reader knows the cause of Israel's defeat but awaits the divine revelation and subsequent action. The verse then serves as a moment of **Resolution**, where the hidden problem is finally brought to light, paving the way for the community's purification and the reestablishment of God's blessing.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 7:23 powerfully illustrates the profound theological truth that sin, even when committed in secret, has far-reaching consequences, not only for the individual but also for the community. Achan's private act of covetousness and theft brought divine judgment upon the entire nation, demonstrating the interconnectedness within God's covenant people. The public exposure and removal of the "accursed thing" were essential for cleansing the camp and restoring God's favor, emphasizing His absolute holiness and His demand for purity among His people. This event serves as a stark reminder that God sees all things, and that true repentance often involves bringing hidden transgressions into the light, acknowledging them before God and, where appropriate, before the community, to facilitate genuine restoration and reconciliation.

* [Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin")
* [1 Corinthians 5:6-7](/1_corinthians/5-6 "1 Corinthians 5:6-7 - Purging the Leaven of Sin")
* [Hebrews 4:13](/hebrews/4-13 "Hebrews 4:13 - All Things Are Naked Before God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The scene in Joshua 7:23 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers and the church. It reminds us that our actions, even those we believe to be private, can have a ripple effect, impacting the spiritual health and effectiveness of our families, communities, and the broader body of Christ. Just as Achan's hidden sin hindered Israel's progress and brought judgment, so too can unconfessed or unaddressed sin among believers impede the church's mission and fellowship with God. This passage calls us to a radical transparency before God, understanding that nothing is truly hidden from His sight. It challenges us to cultivate a culture of accountability and holiness within our communities, where sin is taken seriously, confessed, and dealt with in a way that leads to purification and restoration, rather than being swept under the rug. It underscores that God desires a holy people, and our willingness to expose and deal with sin is crucial for experiencing His continued blessing and presence.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might "hidden" sins in our lives or within our community hinder God's work or blessing?**
* **What does "laying things out before the LORD" mean for us today, in a personal and communal sense?**
* **How can we foster a culture of genuine confession and accountability within our Christian communities, while also extending grace and promoting restoration?**
* **What is the balance between individual responsibility and corporate responsibility in the church today, as illuminated by this passage?**

### FAQ
**Who are "they" who took the items out of the tent?**

Answer: "They" refers to the messengers or men sent by Joshua, likely accompanied by Achan and his family, to retrieve the hidden items from Achan's tent, as described in the preceding verse [Joshua 7:22](/joshua/7-22 "Joshua 7:22 - Messengers Sent to Achan's Tent"). This was done under Joshua's direct command after Achan's confession.

**What is the significance of "laid them out before the LORD"?**

Answer: The phrase "laid them out before the LORD" signifies a solemn, ritualistic presentation of the evidence of sin directly into God's presence. It underscores that God is the ultimate Judge and that the sin was primarily against Him. This public display before the divine presence was crucial for acknowledging the offense, validating the judgment, and initiating the process of national purification and the restoration of God's favor to Israel. It highlights God's omniscience and His demand for holiness within His covenant people, as seen in [Hebrews 4:13](/hebrews/4-13 "Hebrews 4:13 - All Things Are Naked Before God").

**Why was this public display of the stolen items necessary?**

Answer: The public display was necessary for several reasons. Firstly, it served as tangible proof of Achan's transgression, validating his confession and the divine revelation. Secondly, it was a crucial step in the corporate cleansing of Israel. Since Achan's individual sin had brought corporate judgment upon the entire nation, the public acknowledgment and removal of the "accursed thing" were essential for the whole community to be purified and for God's presence and blessing to return. Finally, it served as a powerful object lesson for all of Israel, reinforcing the severe consequences of disobedience to God's commands and the importance of upholding the covenant.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joshua 7:23, with its stark portrayal of sin's corporate consequences and the necessity of public exposure for purification, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Achan's sin brought a curse upon Israel, demanding a public removal of the offending object and a severe judgment to restore the nation's standing with God. This foreshadows the infinitely greater "curse" of sin that afflicts all humanity, requiring a perfect, once-for-all sacrifice. Jesus Christ, the true Lamb of God, became the "accursed thing" for us, bearing the full weight of God's judgment on the cross, as [Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse") declares, "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us." Unlike Achan, who brought a curse, Christ absorbed it. He was publicly "laid out" on the cross, not as a display of His own sin, but as the ultimate revelation of the depth of human sin and the perfect provision for its atonement. Through His public death, He exposed sin's power and defeated it, allowing those who believe in Him to be cleansed and brought into a right relationship with God, as [Hebrews 9:26](/hebrews/9-26 "Hebrews 9:26 - Christ's Sacrifice to Put Away Sin") teaches that He appeared "to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself." The purification of Israel through Achan's judgment points forward to the spiritual purification of the church, not by the removal of an individual sinner, but by the perfect sacrifice of Christ, who cleanses His bride so that she might be "without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless" ([Ephesians 5:27](/ephesians/5-27 "Ephesians 5:27 - Christ Cleanses the Church")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.